Ramsey County Votes To Restrict E-Cigarette Use In Public Places

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Another metro county has cracked down on e-cigarette use.

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 Tuesday to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes anywhere traditional cigarettes are banned, such as work places and restaurants. It also bans their use within 25 feet of building entrances.

“Ramsey County has taken a stand to ensure our residents, workers and visitors aren’t needlessly exposed to tobacco and e-cigarette use when they are in indoor public spaces, or simply entering and leaving buildings,” Jim McDonough, Chair of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, said. “Hopefully, the state will follow suit and recognize the need to protect all Minnesotans from the harms of secondhand smoke and e-cigarette emissions.”

Ramsey County joins nine other counties and 20 cities in Minnesota with the same restrictions. Hennepin County approved a similar ban earlier this year.